Threaded bulb cover device

ABSTRACT

A cover device is provided for being threadably mounted on a threaded bulb. The cover device has a portion which is internally threaded for positioning on the bulb. This internally threaded portion is formed on the cover device or connected thereto by rods or other means. The cover can be mounted for axial movement on the threaded bulb to provide different light effects. Flanges are mounted on a cover device to deflect the light and cylindrical projections are also used to provide means for the light to pass therethrough. The cover device is used on a bulb which projects in any direction; that is, for example, either upwardly or downwardly. Fiber optic filaments can extend from an internally threaded portion to provide light therethrough.

United States Patent 1191 McCarthy 1 11 3,808,419 1451 Apr. 30,1974

1 THREADED BULB COVER DEVICE [76] Inventor: Jack N. McCarthy, MeadowoodRd., Tolland, Conn. 06084 [22] Filed: May 18, 1973 [21] Appl. No.:361,629

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No,185,934, Oct. 4,

1971, Pat. N0. 3,757,105.

52 US. Cl. .(240/10 R, 240/1 R, 240/10 L,

[51] Int. Cl. ..F21v 11/00 [58] Field of Search.... 240/1 EL, 1 LP, 10R, 10 F, 240/10 L, 10 T, 73 QD,151,1R

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 3,727,043 4/1973 Wall240/10 L 3,624,385 11/1971 240/10 T 3,721,815 3/1973 2 40/10 R 2,085,2076/1937 240/10 T 3,018,362 H1962 240/1 EL X 3,582,637 6/1971 240/1 LD3,727,044 4/1973 Monroy 240/10 L 6/1963 Abrams 240/73 QD X FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 414,886 9/1946 Italy 240/100 563,474 /1958Canada 240/10 F Primary Examiner-Joseph F. Peters, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT A cover device is provided for being threadably mounted ona threaded bulb. The cover device has a portion which is internallythreaded for positioning on v the bulb. This internally threaded portionis formed on the cover device or connected thereto by rods or othermeans. The cover can be mounted for axial movement on the threaded bulbto provide different light effects. Flanges are mounted on a coverdevice to deflect the light and cylindricalprojections are also used'toprovide means for the-light to pass therethrough. The cover device is.used on a bulb which projects in any direction; that is, for example,either upwardly or downwardly. Fiber optic filaments can extend from aninternally threaded portion to provide light the'rethrough. p v

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures THREADED BULB COVER DEVICE RELATEDAPPLICATION Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part of copendingApplication Ser. No. 185,934, filed Oct. 4, 1971, entitled ElectricLight Device now US. Pat. No. 3,757,105.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION having a member contacting the bulb. Theabove men-' tioned patent is a continuation-in-part of U. S. Pat. No.3,624,385. Other lamp attachments are shown in th references citedinthose patents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide acover device for threadable mounting on a threaded bulb for providing adesired lighting effect.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cove device which can bethreadably moved axially on a threaded bulb and provide varying degreesof light and different colors, if desired. This type of arrangement canbe used, for example, as a night light.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cover device for aceiling light which can be connected directly to the bulb and notrequire elaborate mounting from a ceiling fixture.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cover device for athreaded bulb which is located on the stem of a lamp. Said cover devicecan be comprised of two members threaded to the bulb if necessary toprovide a desired effect.

A further object of the invention is to have a flange on a cover devicewhich will cooperate with a reflecting cover to control light therefrom.A cover device could have a plurality of flanges which would aid incooling.

. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS I FIG. 1 is a side view of a lightdevice having a threaded bulb with the cover device in cross section;-

FIG. 2 is an end view of a light device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a modification of a cover device for a threaded bulb;

FIG. 4 is another modification of a cover device; FIG. 5 is anothermodification of a cover device shown on a threaded bulb extendingdownwardly from a ceiling; and I FIG. 6 is another modification of acover device shown on a threaded bulb extending upwardly from a lampbase;

FIG. 7 is another modification of a cover device; and

FIG. 8 is another modification of a cover device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS or envelope end. The baseassembly 6 is of the type having two prongs 8 mounted for insertion intoan electric outlet of a home. The base assembly 6 includes a projectingportion 10 which has an internally threaded opening therein to receivethe threaded base portion of the threaded bulb 4. (A bulb of this typeis shown and described in parent U. S. Application Ser. No. 185,934,filed Oct. 4, 1971.) The base assembly 6 includes within, the wiringfrom each of the prongs'8 to each of two metallic contacts .within theinternally threaded opening in projecting portion 10, said contactsbeing positioned so as to engage conventional metal contacts on the baseportion of bulb 4. Means can be provided -to prevent the threaded baseportion from turning in threaded bulb 4 can be fixe dly mounted on thebase assembly 6 so as to form a unitary structure. This type ofconstruction is common among night lights where a contoured bulb isfixedly formed to abase having prongs thereon for insertion into anelectrical source.

To control the amount of light put out by the externally threaded bulb4, a cover means or device 14 is placed thereon and adapted to be movedup and down the'length'of the bulb to control the exposed surface of theexternally threaded portion of the. bulb. The cover means or device 14is formed of a central cylindrical member 16 internally threaded alongitslength to mate with the external threads on the bulb 4, one end beingopen while the other end is closed at 18; the cylindrical member 16being of such a length as to include the full length of the threadedbulb 4.

'In FIG. 1, the cylindrical member 16 is shown threadably engaging thebulb for approximately two-thirds the length of the bulb. The open endof the cylindrical member 16 has a flange 20 extending outwardlytherefrom to provide a light deflector. It can be seen from FIG. 1 thatthe light emanating from the bottom portion of the threaded bulb will bedeflected sidewardly for a distance. This flange can be made of varioussizes, depending on the type of light control desired.

Four openings 30 are equally positioned around the closed end ofthecylindrical member 16 and cylindrical projections 32 extend outwardlyfrom the cylindrical member 16 around each opening. While thesecylindrical projections 32 can be of various lengths, they are shown asapproximately one-half of the length of the cylindrical member 16. Eachcolored lens 34 is fixedly positioned at the free end of the cylindricalprojections 32 in a recess. This can be done by any means desired suchas by gluing or bonding. These lens can be of different colors,depending on the use of the cover means It can be seen that movement ofthe cover means 14 I up and down the length of the bulb 4 will controlthe amount and color of the light emanating therefrom. With the covermeans 14 off we have the total surface of the externally threaded bulb 4open to the room. With the cover means placed thereon for approximatelyone-half the length of the bulb, we have then only one-half of the bulbexposed, with the deflector deflecting light from that portion so itextends radially from the bulb. Very little light will show through thelens 34. Then, as the cover means 14 is placed com- I lens 34 until thecover means 14 has been threaded on the bulb-4 to a point where the bulbengages the holes 30, thetop of the bulb 36 can be painted black or havean opaque flat disc fixed thereto. a n

For further control, an annular flange22 can exte n from the end offlange to further deflect and diffuse light deflected by the flange 20.This flange can be transparent and of a desired color. The cylindricalmember 16, flange 20 and cylindrical flanges 32, for a night light willbe opaque or made from a material which will transmit very little light.The cylindrical projections 32provide a spoke-like arrangement formanual turning of the cover means 14.

The modification shown in FIG. 3 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1wherein a mechanical means is provided in the cover means 14A to preventlight from getting into the cylindrical projections 32A until the top ofthe bulb reaches the openings 30A. The mechanical means is aflat cover38A located within the cover means 14A and a spring 40A located betweenthe closed end of the cover means 14A and the cover 38A.

The flat cover 38A can be threaded into its internal position or madeslightly smaller than the threads on the interior of the cover means14A. In FIG. 3 the cover 38A has a. flange to receive the spring andthis cover has to bepositioned in the end of the cover means or device14A by' having the end formed of a separate piece. The end is fixed inplace after the cover 38A and spring40A have been put in place. In FIG.3, each lens 34A are shown fixed at the bottom of the cylindricalprojections 32A in the same manner as before.

FIG. 4 shows a simplified cover means 148 which is positioned onbulb.4B. The electric'light device 50 in this instance is a type whereina deep-cupped shade 52 is formed around the bulb socket of the devicewhich is usually attached to the end of a metal tube 54 through whichwiring extends to the device. This type of covering can usually be foundon pole-type'lamps. A toggle switch 56 is located at the end of thedevice where it is fixed to the tube 54. The cover means 148 is formedhaving a central cylindrical member 16B internally threaded to mate withthe external threads on the bulb 48, with one end being open while theother end is closed and has an outwardly extending flange 58. Flange 58is sized to be smaller than the opening 60 at the end of the shade 52 sothat when the cover means 148 is within the opening 60, an annular spaceis left between the edge of the flange 58 and the opening 60. It can beseenfrom FIG. 4 that as the cover means is moved down the length of thebulb, the exposed portion of the bulb next to the base of the bulb willbe enlarged, providing a greater amount of light to pass around thecover means and through the annular space between the edge of theopening 60 and the edge of the flange 58. Here again the cover means 148can be opaque or transparent and colored.

As shown in FIG. 5, a ceiling fixture 70 is provided with a threadedbulb 4C having a different cover means 14C. The cover means 14Ccomprises an internally threaded ring member 74 with a plurality of rodsor links 76 connecting it to a large cover or deflector 78.

will deflect the light toward the ceiling and prevent direct rays fromproviding too bright a light in a room.

The cover means as shown in' the above figures can also be used on alight fixture where the bulbs project upwardly. In this case, thecovering means is merely threaded downwardly over the bulb, except forthe modification in FIG. 5 where the ring 74 is threaded on the bulb andthen the rods are hooked onto openings on the ring member-74 andopenings on the deflector 78. The deflector can be raised or lowered bymoving the ring member 74 on the threaded portion of the bulb 4. If moreadjustability is desired, the rods 76 can be made adjustable in length.It can thus be seen that chains or wire can be used in place of therods.

In the modification shown in FIG. 5, the rods 76 can be threaded attheir lower ends and extend through openings in the deflector 7 8 withdecorative nuts engaging the threaded rods to support the cover means ordevicel4C. These rods 76 would be pivotally mounted to the ring member74.

FIG. 6 shows an installation on a lamp 90 having'a threaded bulb 4Dwherein an internally threaded ring 74D is placed on the bulb while rods76D extend between openings around the ring 74D and openings fixed tothe inner side of a rounded cover or deflector 78D. The rounded coverordeflector 78D has an opening 92 in the bottom for receiving the stem94 of the lamp 90. This modification can also have the rods 76D threadedat their outer ends and extend through open- -ings ,in the deflector 78Dwith nuts engaging the ends of the threaded rods to support the coverdevice 14D.

A decorative addition to the lamp is the use of a second internallythreaded ring 96 placed on the bulb 4D composed of a clear transparentplastic or glass or other light-conducting rigid material. Fiber-opticfilaments 98. are connected to said ring 96 by having one end fixed in ahole in the ring. The filaments then extend out of a hole 100 in the topof the rounded cover or deflector 78D. Holes could be formed in the sideof the rounded coveror deflector 78D and small groups of filaments 98could extend from the end of the ring 96 through each of said holes.These fibers can be made clear or of many different colors. If there isno room for a second ring, or if one is not desired, the first supportring can be made of the light-conducting rigid material and the fiberscan be connected to the first support ring as shown and described on thesecond ring.

FIG. 7 shows a solid-shaped decoration which can be formed of a plastic,such as lucite, into which the threads of the bulb 4 can be screwed. I

FIG. 8 shows a cover 1 1 1 having an upwardly extending portion 112 anda downwardly extending portion 114. A portion 116 intermediate the endsis formed having an internally threaded section so as to be threadedonto the threaded bulb 4. The threaded bulb is connected to a socket 118which is hanging down on a cord 120. The cover 1 11 can be positionedanywhere on the bulb 4 and each of the portions 112 and 1 14 can beseparate colors, or one portion can be clear, whilev one portion iscolored. A movementof the cover 111 along the bulb would vary theproportion of light extending through the portions 112 and 114. Thecover can be repositioned to obtain any desired effect of a combinationof colors.

I claim:

1. A cover device for an electric light bulb having an envelop withexternal threads along said envelope, said device comprising a body withan opening having internal threads for receiving said threaded envelopof said bulb, said body having an outwardly extending flange adjacent anend of said internally threaded opening, said body being adapted to beaxially moved along said bulb, thereby exposing a different area of saidenvelope.

2. A cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flange is coloredto provide a colored light.

3. A cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body has a secondoutwardly extending flange.

4. A cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body has a secondopening which intersects said opening having internal threads. I

5. A cover device as set forth in claim 4 wherein a colored lens islocated in said second opening.

6. A cover device as set forth in claim 4 wherein a hollow tube extendsoutwardly from said body around said second opening for directing lighttherefrom.

7. A cover device as set forth in claim 4 wherein the opening havinginternal threads has a threaded bulb located therein, means forpreventing light from emanating from the end of said bulb in saidopening.

8 A cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body has aplurality of second openings which intersect said opening havinginternal threads. 7

9. A cover device as set forth in claim 8 wherein a hollow tube extendsoutwardly from said body around each second opening for directing lighttherefrom.

10. A cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein means are providedfor turning said body and moving it axially along a bulb.

1. A cover device for an electric light bulb having an envelop withexternal threads along said envelope, said device comprising a body withan opening having internal threads for receiving said threaded envelopof said bulb, said body having an outwardly extending flange adjacent anend of said internally threaded opening, said body being adapted to beaxially moved along said bulb, thereby exposing a different area of saidenvelope.
 2. A cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flangeis colored to provide a colored light.
 3. A cover device as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said body has a second outwardly extending flange.
 4. Acover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body has a secondopening which intersects said opening having internal threads.
 5. Acover device as set forth in claim 4 wherein a colored lens is locatedin said second opening.
 6. A cover device as set forth in claim 4wherein a hollow tube extends outwardly from said body around saidsecond opening for directing light therefrom.
 7. A cover device as setforth in claim 4 wherein the opening having internal threads has athreaded bulb located therein, means for preventing light from emanatingfrom the end of said bulb in said opening.
 8. A cover device as setforth in claim 1 wherein said body has a plurality of second openingswhich intersect said opening having internal threads.
 9. A cover deviceas set forth in claim 8 wherein a hollow tube extends outwardly fromsaid body around each second opening for directing light therefrom. 10.A cover device as set forth in claim 1 wherein means are provided forturning said body and moving it axially along a bulb.